GemsWorld Quest Chapter 1: Dramatic demon and dastardly spirit

"More precision", I whispered, "I need more precision."

Motivation is the key to the plan's success.

Try to be quiet for once! I'm trying to focus here.

I sighed. I was really tired of this mind shard of mine. It was as if a piece of my spirit had decided to separate itself from the rest in an attempt to function on its own. Sometimes it helped me, and sometimes – like now – it was simply annoying. Especially in a situation in which I had to concentrate on a task: it would always slow me down. I tightened my grasp on the Stone Staff I had in hand. This was the last move I had to try out before my little showdown.

Should give a good name to this move.

An artist always give a name to its work AFTER finishing it!

Not necessarily...

We'll save that debate for later.

I had nothing to lose anyway: it was now or never. Taking a deep breath, I raised my right arm above my head and started drawing a fictional circle in the air with a swift movement of my arm. After a few of them, my movement picked up speed. Then, I began my recital:

"Rekindled Earth!" I chanted. "Come now under my control! Gather around me and follow my will!"

Really feel like a magician now.

Shut up and watch!

Responding to my recital, the ring of stones around me began to move and followe the movement of my arm.

An element of the earth tries to float in the air. Interesting contrast.

And that, was when my mind shard wanted to be sarcastic. I nicknamed it "DG". From the word "Doppleganger". In any case, the ring of stone around me floated faster and faster, until it became completely blurred. The signal I was waiting for. "Let me borrow your might and strike my enemy!" I continued. Using my staff, I pointed in the direction of a nearby tree. The perfect target. "Roar now and crush it! Stone Hoop"!

Will come up with a better name later.

Improvising's not always easy you know!

Following my movement and my will, the ring of spinning rocks went crashing into the tree at an astounding speed. The collision of my Stone Hoop with its target created a small explosion, projecting dust and pebbles all around the poor tree but also around the teenager who was standing next to it. That... would be me.

Teacher's surely going to make another remark for this.

Teacher?... "The teacher!" I shouted, "dang it, I'm going to be late for the battle session!" with a rapid recital, I sent the Stone Staff back into my Oryktia Stone. I put the Stone back into my pocket and rushed out of the forest I was training in.

What's the result by the way?

Good question. I quickly looked behind me in search of the tree that I used as a target.

A tree? What tree?

A confident smile appeared on my face as I tried to find my way out of the forest. After my little experience, the remains of the tree showed with an remarkable accuracy what fate had stricken the wooden target. Obliteration. And obliteration was the one word I needed to describe what would happend to my opponent if I managed to pull out this move against her.

******

The Skafi Corner was the most famous Oryktia Crafting Club in Rockenbor. All the budding Oryktia Crafters of the city knew the place, and even though it was technically open to anybody, the newbies usually didn't last long without solid skills for both Orkytia crafting and Oryktia brawling. I, thankfully, was an exception.

Only three weeks after joinning the club, I was already one of the most skilled Oryktia user of the town, both in the crafting and brawling aspects. However, I didn't manage to get my reputation easily, and I was still not respected by most of my comrades. That was the downside of having a dark skin: it was always necessary to prove to the others that you were not a demon by nature. On the good side, my dark skin allowed my dramatic mimics to be more effective against people. Probably why they kept thinking I was mad.

Should speed up a bit.

I got this DG. I got this.

The club was now in my sight. Impossible to miss it: the small construction was stuck between two large building, and a light blue insignia with gold stripes indicated the name of the club: The Scafi Corner. I always wondered how they came up with that name, too. There might be an explanation behind it. I quickly opened the familiar entrance to the place and went straight to the receptionist's office. Reading a book as usual: she didn't even bother looking at me. "Almost late again Dyrow." said the woman while reajusting her glasses. "Usual room. But hurry, they're about to start.".

"I'm already gone!"

The usual room was at the end of the corridor next to the office. I could already hear the teacher calling the register.

"...Here!"

"Nico Yolandia..."

"Present!"

"And finally, Dyrow Wagate..."

I burst into the room at full speed, almost destroying the door in the process. It was a bit reckless, but I had to make a dramatic entrance. I had to. With a confident grin – Although I was a bit exhausted – I answered right in front of my teacher's surprised face: "Present as always, and ready to roll, sir!"

Best. Intro. Ever.

And that was when I really appreciated DG's presence in my mind.

"Looks like you've been running." the teacher commented. "New hobby of yours Dyrow?" He seemed rather amused by my entrance, probably because he was used to my regular "shows", Just like I was used to the glances of the pupils of the club. There were the ones that looked at me as if I had two heads instead of one, the ones that looked at me like they'd look at a funny circus clown, and the ones that looked at me without a real interested. That last category was my favorite: they implied that there would always be people who wouldn't judge me by my behavior and appearance. That I, like everyone else, could be just another being to look at with indifference.

"Not really sir." I finally answered, "I just didn't want to be late for my favorite part of your lovely lesson."

Perfect insistance on "lovely". Deserves an award.

We'll get an award after her beating. Only after.

As expected, my fateful rival was here as well.

Crystial, the best Oryktia Stone user in Rockenbor, was looking at me like the others. Although her glance was impassive, I could easily recognize that peculiar spark in her eyes when she was entertained. I may have observed her a little bit too much lately.

Like now.

"Alright then!" said the teacher, preventing another silent argument between me and my mind shard. "Since we're all here, let us begin. Is there any volunteer for this week's battle session?" the teacher was only in the middle of his sentence that two hands were already raised, awaiting for him to notice them. My hand and Crystial's.

She's ready for another brawl.

As expected. I can't wait.

"Very well." the teacher conclued, a little smile on the lips. "Stand up you two. Prepare your gear."

Wearing his eternal blue tunic, the teacher was really tall, even when he was kneeling. As an Oryktia instructor, he had a large amount of knowledge and experience to share, however I was pretty sure I was one of the rare pupils paying attention to his wise words instead of looking at his muscular body - boys and girls alike, although their reasons were different. Following my teacher's order, I stood up. "Come to me, my trusty armor, and let us brawl once more!"

Not really a rhyme.

I'll take care of verbal skills later.

In a flash of light, a metallic armor suddently appeared on me, as if it was always there, willing to protect my body from any kind of blows. Crystial, however, had already her armor on, and summoned her weapon instead. The fearsome Limpid Spear.

No oral incantation?

Technically it's not needed, she just pulled out her Oryktia Stone and summoned the weapon inside it..

"So," Crystial said. "It seems that you're ready for another painful kick in the butt. Right, Dyrow?"

The verbal attack has begun. Initiate phase one.

I'm on it!

Her face was still expressionless, but her voice was definitely playful. The party was promising.

"Kick in the butt?" I replied in a mocking tone. "Why do you skip the part where you are exhausted, barely able to stand up after each of our battles?" I could now see a few smiles from the pupils around us, and Crystial's cheeks turned red.

Perfect insistance on «Kick in the butt». Need to speak slighty louder.

"Hm! I think you talk too much, little boy." Crystial replied. "It gets rapidly annoying."

"Sharp weapon, sharp tongue, choose your character, little girl!"

This time, the crowd could barely restrain their laugher – including the teacher – and a smile finally made his appearance on Crystial's face. "I think I'll test both characters before choosing. Let me start with the sharp weapon!"

Phase one successful. Now commencing phase two.

"Then sharp weapon it is!" I replied while joyfully pulling out my Oryktia Stone. "You heard the lady, little rock! Show her the sharp weapon inside you. Appear before my eyes, Mojuko!"

Couldn't come up with a weirder name.

At least I'm creative. Limpid Spear's not the most original name around.

I was indeed creative, and that fact was true for my weapon's introduction as well. My left hand still holding my Stone, I kneeled and put my right hand on the ground. I slowly stood up, my right hand now gripping my stone staff, as if it had been there waiting for me all along. Ignoring the gasps and astonished exclamations of the crowd, I let my dramatic glare penetrate my rival's eyes while shouting my final sentence: "Dear Crystial, say hello to my brand new masterpiece! And goodbye to your ephemerical domination on the top!"

The spark in her eyes became a fully-grown blaze. "My so-called domination shall last longer than you think, little boy!" she retorted, "let me demonstrate you my ruling power by shattering your worthless ambitions!"

She's been studying dramatic replies as well.

Huh. Just for this moment?

With her armor and the Limpid Spear by her side, she definitly looked like a dreadful warrior. Her long blue hair were shinnier than ever, and her green eyes revealed a level of confidence equal, perhaps even superior to mine. Most certainly, she's been training without stopping as well. Difficult fight ahead...

"Now, now, that's enough you two! You've entertained us well with the chit-chat." the teacher's voice now sounded like a discordant melody in our masterful orchestra. But he had a point: it was time for us to get started.

"Get ready Oryktia Brawlers...!"

Crystial put herself in battle position. So did I.

"Go!"

Initiating battle plan phase one.

"Let's dance!"